Regular professional massage can help prevent sports and overuse injuries. Rotator cuff strain is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and reduced range of motion in the shoulder joint.
Causes of rotator cuff injury can vary, but is often a result of chronic overuse of the shoulder such as seen with tennis players, baseball players, carpenters, construction workers, and any activity which requires frequent overhead arm movement.
These injuries can be extremely debilitating. In severe cases one may become unable to lift their arm higher than their shoulder to the front and to the side. By the time this occurs surgical intervention may be a last solution.
One of the many benefits of massage therapy is that it can help prevent rotator cuff strain in the first place. It does this by helping to keep the shoulder muscles flexible, improves the range of motion, lengthens adaptively shortened muscles, and increases blood flow to the muscles, tendons, and joints of the affected area.
If you feel you may be at risk of developing rotator cuff problems, regular sessions with a professional massage therapist can be a key part of your preventative health care and an injury free lifestyle!